Kilkenny arts organisations set to receive €1.5 million in funding

Kilkenny arts organisations will receive  €1.5 million in Arts Council funding for 2026. 

The six organisations Kilkenny which will be receiving funding are Young Irish Film Makers (€95,000),

Kilkenny Arts Festival (€587,976), KCAT (€87,010), Butler Gallery (€535,300), Watergate Theatre (€137,000) and Kilkenny County Council (€98,000).

In addition to support for organisations based in County Kilkenny, all counties also benefit from the national remit of organisations which are based elsewhere. Eg: Arts and Disability Ireland, Irish National Opera, Na Píobairí Uilleann Teoranta, Children Books Ireland and Dance Ireland. 

Further funding announcements for 2026 will be made in due course and additional funding will be allocated for disability access costs to promote more inclusive participation in the arts.  

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Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan said:  
“Public investment through grant funding is essential to sustaining and developing the arts across every part of Ireland. These awards support artists and organisations to realise ambitious creative work across all artforms, while ensuring that people of all ages and backgrounds have meaningful opportunities to engage with the arts in their everyday lives.”  
 
Director of The Arts Council, Moling Ryan commented:  

“Through its 2026 budget, the Arts Council is prioritising support for arts organisations across Ireland, enabling them to sustain their work and plan confidently for the year ahead. These funding decisions for 2026 will support artists, audiences and communities to come together through shared creative experiences and meaningful cultural activity.”